The Veteran's prostate cancer residuals are rated at 60 percent, and his impotence with penile deformity is rated at 20 percent. The combined rating is 70 percent. The Board finds the evidence in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment.
The deciding factor: The VA opinions are in equipoise, indicating that both the prostate cancer residuals and non-service connected spinal disabilities contribute to the Veteran's unemployability.
- Claimed conditions
- adenocarcinoma of the prostate
- How they argued it
- Direct service connection
- Exposure basis
- None
- Rating assigned
- 70%
- Decision date
- November 28, 2011
- Citation
- 1143399
This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Look up the original decision on VA.gov (opens in a new tab) using citation 1143399.
What this means for you
A partial grant means some issues were granted while others were denied or remanded — common in multi-issue claims. Look at which issues went which way, and how each was argued.
What you can do next
Related decisions
Other Board decisions on a similar condition or argued the same way.
- Granted
The Veteran's adenocarcinoma of the prostate is rated at 60 percent effective February 5, 2021. An effective date of August 5, 2020 for a 20 percent rating for diabetes mellitus type II has been granted. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and verruca vulgaris of the right hand are not rated as compensable.
- Denied
The Veteran's cause of death, cardiorespiratory arrest and adult failure to thrive, is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or exposure to herbicide agents. The Board finds that the medical evidence does not support a finding of service connection.
- Granted
The Veteran's prostate condition was restored to a 60% rating effective December 16, 2025.,An earlier effective date of August 23, 2012, for the grant of TDIU is granted.,SMC at the housebound rate is granted effective September 4, 2025.
- Granted
The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder, tinnitus, and urethritis, have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.
Free starter guide for your own claim
Reading this because you were denied or under-rated? Get the plain-English next steps — your appeal options, the deadline that protects you, and how appeals like yours turn out. One email, no spam.
We will only use this to send the guide. No spam, unsubscribe any time. We never sell your information.
We are not the VA. Veterans’ Rights is an independent resource built for veterans. We are not the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, not part of the government, and not endorsed by any government agency.
This is general information, not legal advice. For advice about your own situation, talk to a VA-accredited representative — many help for free.